Climbing apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

A climbing apparatus and system for climbing a columnar structure, including a pair of climbing apparatus, each of which includes an elongated vertical member with a pair of anchors to engage with the columnar structure, a fastening loop pivotally connected to the vertical member and which locates around the columnar structure, and a platform which supports the foot of a user. One of the pairs of climbing apparatus can have a platform located at a greater distance from its respective fastening loop connection than the other of the pair of climbing apparatus to facilitate stepwise climbing. the user alternatingly shifts weight between each apparatus and moves the other of the pair of climbing apparatus in a stepwise manner until the desired height is reached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a climbing apparatus and system for climbing columnar structures such as poles, trees and masts.

BACKGROUND

Climbing tree stands, pole-climbing shoes and climbing stick systems are known in the art. These systems and apparatus are used to assist in ascending and descending columnar structures in a variety of recreational and industrial applications. Pole-climbing shoes, for instance, are frequently utilized in the climbing of utility poles, masts and palm trees; while climbing tree stands and climbing sticks are routinely used by hunters, photographers and bird watchers. Generally, these systems are intended to allow their users to reach desired heights in a safe and rapid manner to hunt, observe, provide maintenance, and the like.

While climbing tree stands have been in existence for some time, it is believed they can have certain shortcomings. For example, climbing tree stands can be cumbersome, difficult to attach to the tree, and can require complicated climbing motions. During operation, the user generally raises and lowers the tree stands by alternating engagement of upper and lower frame members along the tree, for example, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,955,645, 4,969,538 and 7,802,654. Because climbing tree stands typically have greater mass and greater overall dimensions than other types of climbing apparatus, they can be more difficult to pack and carry to and from remote climbing sites. The complexity of climbing tree stands can also limit their practical maneuverability along trees, which can have varying diameters along their length, can be divided along their length, can extend at an angle, and can have projections such as branches. Still further, the complicated climbing motions can require a user to either repeatedly take a seated position or support themselves with their upper body while they move the lower frame member. Due at least in part to the above-described disadvantages, the use of climbing tree stands can be tiresome and provide for slow movement along a tree.

Pole-climbing shoes are also believed to have drawbacks. Generally, pole-climbing shoes have a harness that attaches to or around a shoe, and a serrated gripping device, such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 857,430, 3,078,951, 3,726,360, 5,249,644 and 5,417,306, and India Pat. No. 299,829. Users can move upward or downward along the columnar structure in an alternating stepwise manner. In most of these systems, a fastening loop is located around the columnar structure which the user can hold and move during each step. The gripping devices engage the sides of the columnar structure as the user steps upwardly or downwardly. However, it is believed pole-climbing shoes can be unstable, limited in use to certain diameters of columnar structures, and the harness and gripping device can be difficult to attach and remove from both the shoes and columnar structure. Furthermore, pole-climbing shoes often only have one area of contact with the columnar structure for a given side of the structure during the climbing process, which can create safety issues if the shoe does not properly grip the underlying structure. Additionally, some pole-climbing shoes, like those shown in India Pat. No. 299,829, utilize complicated climbing mechanisms which coordinate the user's foot position along the frame to the circumference of a spring rope that encircles the tree during climbing. Such climbing mechanisms can be noisy during use and may complicate attachment to the columnar structure.

It is also believed that climbing stick systems have certain drawbacks. As shown for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,040,635, 7,163,082, 9,512,675 and 10,301,873, climbing stick systems typically include a frame with rungs and one or more loops which fasten the frame to the side of the columnar structure. The climbing sticks are typically fixed to the columnar structure in adjacent vertical relation to one another and remain connected for the duration of use. There can likewise be issues with the sticks properly gripping the columnar structure, and the weight of the sticks can limit the number of sticks transported along the structure and thereby limit the maximum height that can be achieved.

As such, it is believed there still exists a need for a climbing apparatus and climbing system that can be used for the quick and stable ascent and descent of varying and various columnar structures, while being easily and quietly transported, used, attached and detached, and which addresses at least some of the foregoing issues.

SUMMARY

A climbing apparatus and system are provided for climbing columnar structures such as poles, trees and masts. The system and apparatus are easily and quietly transported, attached, used, and detached from the structure. A single climbing apparatus can be used in conjunction with a tree saddle, rock climbing harness, or similar apparatus, to ascend or descend columnar structures in an incremental fashion. A pair of the climbing apparatus can be used in coordination in a system, to ascend or descend a columnar structure in a simple stepwise fashion. The climbing apparatus or system provides for the stable navigation of columnar structures while being simply and easily attached, and while also enabling the user to easily bypass projections, such as branches, along the columnar structure.

Each climbing apparatus includes an elongated vertical member and at least two stabilizing V-shaped anchors attached along the length of the vertical member. The V-shaped anchors can have a series of serrated teeth to help grip the columnar structure and secure the climbing apparatus during use. A platform, which may be pivotally attached toward the lower end of the vertical member, includes a foot strap to retain the foot of the user. The pivotal attachment of the platform allows for the platform to rotate between a horizontal operating position and a vertical storage position, making the apparatus easy to pack and carry. Also, because the pivotal connection of the platform is in a fixed location along the vertical member, the climbing apparatus is relatively quiet during use. A fastening loop is located around the columnar structure during use and is adjustably and pivotally connected to the vertical member by a bracket located between the two V-shaped anchors. The bracket and fastening loop enhance the secure gripping effect of the V-shaped anchors while allowing for the quick and easy adjustment, attachment, and detachment of the climbing apparatus during the ascent or descent of columnar structures.

When used in a system, one of the climbing apparatus can have a platform attached to the vertical member at a greater distance from the fastening loop bracket than in the other climbing apparatus. This difference facilitates the rapid and easy ascent and descent by the user of the columnar structure by allowing the user to move one of the pairs of climbing apparatus relative to the other without having the fastening loops of each apparatus interfere. This versatility also assists transportation to and from the climbing site by providing a relatively lightweight system, without sacrificing the heights to which the user may achieve. These advantages can similarly be provided in a single climbing apparatus configuration given the relatively lightweight of the coordinating tree saddles, rock climbing harnesses, or similar apparatus used therewith.

During use, after the fastening loops of the system are located around the columnar structure, the user steps upon the respective platforms and is retained to the platforms by the foot straps. The user then alternatingly moves one climbing apparatus along the columnar structure, followed by the other. When ascending or descending the columnar structure, the fastening loop of a given climbing apparatus engages the rear side of the columnar structure. As the user shifts weight to the platform or as the climbing apparatus moves downwardly under its own weight, the fastening loop is pulled taught and pivots relative to the vertical member, which draws the vertical member towards the columnar structure, causing the anchors to firmly grip the columnar structure. This gripping effect caused by the pivoting of the fastening loop increases as more downward force is applied to the climbing apparatus. To climb, the user first shifts their weight to the platform of the leading climbing apparatus. The user can then pull the trailing climbing apparatus away from the columnar structure in a climbing motion and adjust the apparatus upwardly or downwardly as appropriate. The user then shifts weight to the platform of the trailing climbing apparatus causing the trailing climbing apparatus to grip the columnar structure. With the trailing climbing apparatus secured the user may then repeat the lifting and gripping process for the leading climbing apparatus. The alternating movement of the climbing system along the columnar structure by shifting weight to the platform of one apparatus, then lifting or lowering the other apparatus and shifting weight to its platform, can be repeated as needed until the desired height along the columnar structure is achieved. This climbing procedure may likewise be followed using a single climbing apparatus configuration, whereby the user alternately shifts their weight between and incrementally adjusts the location of the climbing apparatus and the coordinating tree saddle, rock climbing harness, or similar apparatus.

If a projection is encountered along the columnar structure, the user can quickly and easily detach the fastening loop of the climbing apparatus and re-attach the loop above or below the projection, while maintaining support on the other apparatus. Whenever the desired height is reached and if one or both platforms are sized appropriately the user may remove their feet from the strap or straps and take a seated position on the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing system including a pair of climbing apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the fastening loop and bracket housings for the climbing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a user climbing a columnar structure using the climbing system of FIG. 1, shown with a leading leg of the user raised;

FIG. 4 illustrates the user in FIG. 3 shown with a trailing leg raised;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the upper portion of a climbing apparatus of FIG. 1, showing a climbing apparatus in an engaged condition against the columnar structure; and

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 5, showing a climbing apparatus in a disengaged condition from the columnar structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes an embodiment of a climbing apparatus and system for climbing a columnar structure. The embodiment, parameters, and components described are included as examples and are not to be construed as limiting to the exact form shown. Appropriate modifications of the embodiment may be made, as should be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the described embodiment. The embodiment disclosed illustrates a single climbing apparatus, or a climbing system including a pair of climbing apparatus that are used in a stepwise fashion. Individually or in a system, the climbing apparatus are used to climb various columnar structures such as poles, trees, masts, and the like.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a climbing system is indicated generally at 100 and includes a pair of climbing apparatus including a leading climbing apparatus, indicated generally at 105, and a following climbing apparatus, indicated generally at 110. The leading climbing apparatus 105 and following climbing apparatus 110 are substantially similar, and for brevity's sake, only the following climbing apparatus 110 will be further described, except where there are differences between the apparatus.

The following climbing apparatus 110 includes an elongated vertical member 115, a platform 120, and a fastening loop 125. A rigid, horizontally extending V-shaped upper anchor 130 and V-shaped lower anchor 135 are connected toward opposite ends of the vertical member 115. The flexible fastening loop 125 is releasably and pivotally connected to the vertical member 115 and configured to encircle a columnar structure 140 during use.

Each of the upper and lower anchors 130 and 135 is preferably formed from a metal strip with serrated teeth 145, and fixed to the vertical member 115, with the upper one of the anchors 130 located toward an upper end of the vertical member 115, and the lower one of the anchors 135 located toward a lower end of the vertical member 115. The anchors 130 and 135 are attached to the vertical member 115 with an upper anchor fastener 150 and a lower anchor fastener 155, which for example, can be a bolt, weld or rivet, or another appropriate device for securely fixing the anchor to the vertical member 115. As indicated above, each of the anchors 130 and 135 has a V-shaped configuration with the arms of the anchor projecting outwardly, away from the vertical member 115 along one side thereof, in order to receive a portion of the columnar structure 140 and increase the lateral stability of a given climbing apparatus 105 or 110 during use.

The fastening loop 125 is adjustably and pivotally attached to the vertical member 115 at a location between the upper and lower anchors 130 and 135. The fastening loop 125 is preferably connected on the upper half of the vertical member 115, for example near the upper anchor 130, by a bracket assembly, indicated generally at 160. The bracket assembly 160 adjustably fixes the fastening loop 125 within a pair of bracket housings 165 and 170, with each distal end of the fastening loop 125 being received within a respective housing. The bracket housings 165 and 170 are pivotally connected by a bracket housing fastener 175 and 180, respectively, such as by a pin or bolt, to a central, V-shaped bracket mount 185, located towards the upper end of the vertical member 115, but below upper anchor fastener 150. The bracket mount 185 is likewise fixedly secured to the vertical member 115 such as by fastener 190, e.g., a bolt, weld or rivet.

The fastening loop 125 is preferably made of a flexible material, for example, an elastomeric polymer or strip of strong fabric or rubber. Referring now to FIG. 2, the fastening loop 125 is shown detached from the climbing apparatus 110 and illustrated along with the left bracket housing 165 and right bracket housing 170. The fastening loop 125 can have a series of inwardly-facing grooves or serrations 195 comprised of alternating channels 200 and shoulders 205. The ends of the fastening loop 125 pass through an opening of the left bracket housing 165 and right bracket housing 170 and are preferably secured in the left bracket housing 165 by a left bracket housing groove fastener 210 and in the right bracket housing 170 by a right bracket housing groove fastener 215. The pair of groove fasteners 210 and 215 can each be a pin or bolt and extend through their respective bracket housings 165 and 170 into engagement with the grooves or serrations 195 along the loop 125. This allows the fastening loop 125 to engage with the pair of groove fasteners 210 and 215 to prevent unintended loosening of the fastening loop 125. The pair of groove fasteners 210 and 215 can be configured to be simply removed, such as by including a finger tab or pull, so that the length of the fastening loop 125 between the pair of bracket housings 165 and 170 can be quickly adjusted, and the fastening loop 125 can be quickly attached or detached during set-up, or during use of the apparatus, for example, to bypass a branch along a tree.

The left bracket housing 165 can have a pivot pin or bolt 175 projecting outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the inner-face 220 of the housing 165, while the right bracket housing 170 similarly has a pivot pin or bolt 180 projecting outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the inner-face 225 of the right bracket housing 170. Referring now also to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the left pivot pin or bolt 175 of the left bracket housing 165 is received in an aperture in the left end of bracket mount 185 to enable the left bracket housing to rotate relative to the bracket mount; while the right pivot pin or bolt 180 of the right bracket housing 170 is received in an aperture in the right end of the bracket mount 185 to enable the right bracket housing to rotate relative to the bracket mount.

Each bracket mount 185 has a pair of rotational limiting pins. Namely, a rotational limiting pin 230 on the left end of the mounting bracket 185 is located so as to limit the rotation of the left bracket housing 165; while a rotational limiting pin 235 on the right end of the mounting bracket 185 is located so as to limit the rotation of the right bracket housing 170. In particular, the pair of rotational limiting pins 230 and 235 are located to allow the bracket housing 170, and hence the fastening loop 125, to rotate from an upwardly angled position (FIG. 5) to a 90 degree or substantially perpendicular orientation (FIG. 6) relative to the vertical member 115. The pins prevent the bracket housing 170 from rotating past the perpendicular position, the reason for which will be explained below. Of course, alternative configurations of the bracket assembly 160 and alternative techniques of securing the fastening loop 125 to the bracket assembly 160 may be used as should be appreciated, as long as the fastening loop 125 is adjustably and rotatably connected to the climbing apparatus.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the platforms 120 are attached toward the lower end of the vertical member 115 and extend outwardly from the vertical member 115 substantially perpendicular to the vertical member, and in a direction substantially the opposite from the anchors 130 and 135. Each platform 120 is attached to the vertical member 115 by a pair of spaced-apart curved brackets 240 and 245. Each bracket 240 and 245 aligns along a side of the vertical member 115, and a platform pivotal connection pin 250 is received in corresponding holes in the brackets 240 and 245 and through a cross-bore in the vertical member 115, to allow the platforms 120 to rotate relative to their vertical member 115. The pivotal connection pin 250 and coordinating cross-bore in the elongated vertical member 115 are located near the lower end of the elongated vertical member 115 but above the lower anchor 135. The pivotal connection pin 250 allows the platform 120 to easily (and relatively quietly) rotate between a horizontal operating position and a vertical storage position. The horizontal operating position, as shown in the leading climbing apparatus 105 in FIG. 1, has the front edge of the platform 120 engaged against the vertical member 115 so that the platform 120 is substantially perpendicular to the elongated vertical member 115. The vertical storage position, as shown in the following climbing apparatus 110 in FIG. 1, has the platform 120 pivoted upward against and substantially parallel to the vertical member 115.

As shown in FIG. 1, a foot strap 255, stirrup, or another retaining device can be fixed to the platform 120 of each climbing apparatus 105 and 110 to allow the user to temporarily secure their foot to the upper, flat surface of the platform 120. For example, the foot strap 255 can extend across the bottom surface of the platform 120 and extend upwardly through appropriately-located apertures 260 and 265. The apertures 260 and 265 are preferably located near the left and right edges of the platform 120 so that the foot strap 255 runs across the upper surface of the platform 120. The orientation of the apertures 260 and 265, and therefore the foot strap 255, allows for either foot to be easily secured onto either platform 120. A buckle 270 is fixed to one end of the strap 255 and is sized to receive the other end of the foot strap 255 to allow the foot strap 255 to be appropriately adjusted to fit tightly around the shoe or boot of the user as the user is supported on the upper surface of the platform 120.

Although the leading climbing apparatus 105 and the following climbing apparatus 110 can be the same, in one embodiment there are certain differences provided between them in order to facilitate the climbing process. Specifically, as seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the mounting bracket 185, and hence fastening loop 125 of the leading climbing apparatus 105, is preferably spaced further away from its respective platform 120, than the mounting bracket 185 and fastening loop 125 of the following climbing apparatus 110 from its respective platform 120. The vertical member 115 of the leading climbing apparatus 105 can also be longer than the vertical member 115 of the following climbing apparatus 110. These differences can facilitate the use of the climbing system 100 by helping to prevent the interference of the fastening loop 125 of the leading climbing apparatus 105 with the fastening loop 125 of the following climbing apparatus 110 as a user 275 is ascending or descending a columnar structure 140. This can thereby decrease the number of steps needed to reach a given height.

As mentioned above, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the climbing system 100 may be used to climb columnar structures. To begin the process, the user 275 secures the fastening loop 125 of each climbing apparatus 105 and 110 around the columnar structure 140 by manipulating the bracket assembly 160 of each respective climbing apparatus 105 and 110. For example, the user 275 may first secure one end of the fastening loop 125 in the left bracket housing 165 of the following climbing apparatus 110. To do so, the user 275 passes the fastening loop 125 through the bracket housing opening with the respective bracket housing groove fastener 210 removed, and with the grooves 195 facing inwardly towards the columnar structure 140, as shown in FIG. 2. Next, the user 275 can then adjust the position of the fastening loop 125 within the bracket housing 165 so that the bracket housing groove fastener 210 may subsequently pass through the bracket housing 165 and engage the fastening loop 125. Specifically, the user 275 adjusts the position of the fastening loop 125 within the bracket housing 165 to allow the bracket housing groove fastener 210 to align within a channel 200 between two shoulders 205 within the series of grooves 195 on the fastening loop 125. The bracket housing groove fastener 210, can then be passed through the left bracket housing 165 to engage with the fastening loop 125.

The user 275 can then raise the climbing apparatus 110 along the columnar structure 140 and pass the fastening loop 125 around the columnar structure 140 and through the other bracket housing 170. Following a similar alignment process as discussed above, the user 275 then passes the fastening loop 125 through the right bracket housing 170 with the bracket housing groove fastener 215 removed. The user 275 then aligns the fastening loop 125 so that the right bracket housing groove fastener 215 can then be inserted in the right bracket housing 170 to engage with the series of grooves 195 of the fastening loop 125, shown in FIG. 2. The securing of the fastening loop 125 around the columnar structure 140 may likewise be performed in the reverse order with the securing of the right bracket housing 170 taking place first followed by the left bracket housing 165.

While securing the second end of the fastening loop 125 using the above process, the user 275 may adjust the length of the fastening loop 125 between the pair of bracket housings 165 and 170. The fastening loop is adjusted so that when the fastening loop 125 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the elongated vertical member 115 as seen in FIG. 6, the fastening loop 125 has some slack and is slightly loose against the columnar structure 140. This allows for the climbing apparatus 105 or 110 to be easily moved vertically up or down along the columnar structure 140 while minimizing the unintentional catching of the climbing apparatus 105 or 110.

With the following climbing apparatus 110 attached to the columnar structure 140, the user 275 can then repeat the attachment process for the leading climbing apparatus 105, ensuring that the fastening loop 125 of the leading climbing apparatus 105 is located around the columnar structure 140 above the fastening loop 125 of the following climbing apparatus 110, such that the pair of fastening loops 125 are fastened separately around the columnar structure 140 and are not inter-twined. As should be appreciated, the order of attaching each of the climbing apparatus 105 and 110 can be reversed as desired so that the leading climbing apparatus 105 is first secured to the columnar structure 140 followed then by the following climbing apparatus 110. In any event, with the climbing system 100 attached to the columnar structure 140, as seen in the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the user 275 can then secure themselves to the climbing system 100 in a manner wherein the user 275 is maintained in an upright position facing the columnar structure 140. For example, the user 275 may first place their left foot 280 under the foot strap assembly 255 on the platform 120 of the leading climbing apparatus 105, followed by their right foot 285 under the foot strap assembly 255 on the platform 120 of the following climbing apparatus 110, or vice versa. If desired, the set-up orientation of the climbing apparatus 105 and 110 may be mirrored from that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that the leading climbing apparatus 105 is secured to the right foot 285 of the user 275 while the following climbing apparatus 110 is secured to the left foot 280 of the user 275. In FIG. 3, the user's hand 290 is shown gripping the fastening loop 125 of the leading climbing apparatus 105 for stability. The user 275 can also be secured to the columnar structure 140 by a standard safety harness 295.

As shown in FIG. 3, to ascend the columnar structure 140, the user 275 may begin by shifting their weight onto the platform 120 of the leading climbing apparatus 105. This causes the fastening loop 125 to be pulled taught and rotate with the respective bracket assembly, thereby causing the anchors 130 and 135 to be drawn against the columnar structure 140 so that the leading climbing apparatus 105 securely grips the columnar structure 140. Then, after removing their weight from the following climbing apparatus 110, the user 275 pulls the following climbing apparatus 110 slightly away from the columnar structure 140 to disengage the anchors 130 and 135. This allows the user 275 to raise the following climbing apparatus 110 by an upward stepping, pulling, or similar lifting action, to a comfortable height along the columnar structure 140. During the climbing process, the fastening loop 125 of each climbing apparatus is moved along the columnar structure 140. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the rotation and engagement of one fastening loop 125 during this process. With the following climbing apparatus 110 pulled away from the columnar structure 140, the respective fastening loop 125 loosens and pivots to the substantially horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 6. The rotation of the fastening loop 125 and the bracket housing 170 are restricted from rotating beyond a substantially perpendicular orientation by the rotational limiting pin 235 on the bracket assembly 160. The rotational restriction caused by the rotational limiting pin 235 prevents the fastening loop 125 from over-rotating and catching on the columnar structure 140 as the climbing apparatus 110 is moved up or down along the columnar structure 140. With the fastening loop 125 loosened, the user 275 can then move the following climbing apparatus 110 appropriately along the columnar structure 140, for example raising the following climbing apparatus 110 until it is substantially at the relative height shown in FIG. 4.

After the following climbing apparatus 110 is moved vertically, the user 275 may use their hand(s) to hold the fastening loop 125 or bracket housing(s) 165 or 170, in order to manually tilt the far end of the fastening loop 125 upwards, at an angle to the vertical member 115. As the user 275 shifts weight to the following climbing apparatus 110, the fastening loop 125 re-engages the rear side of the columnar structure 140 with enough resistance to completely rotate the fastening loop 125 upwards as shown at FIG. 5. This rotation along with the downward pressure on the platform 120 due to the weight of the user 275 causes the fastening loop 125 to become taut, and the climbing apparatus 110 to be drawn in toward the columnar structure 140—which causes the serrated anchors 130 and 135 to firmly grip, bite into, and strongly engage the front side of the columnar structure 140. With the following climbing apparatus 110 once again secured against the columnar structure 140, the user 275 can then shift their weight and vertically move their opposite, in this instance left, foot 280, and the leading climbing apparatus 105, for example until the leading climbing apparatus 105 is in the position as shown in FIG. 3, at a higher height along the columnar structure 140.

The cycle of shifting weight away from a climbing apparatus, lifting or lowering the leg and moving the climbing apparatus away from and along the columnar structure, engaging the fastening loop at a different height, and shifting weight back to the climbing apparatus to pivot the fastening loop upwardly to produce a gripping effect between the climbing apparatus and the columnar structure, can be repeated alternatively between each climbing apparatus until the desired height is reached.

Likewise, this climbing procedure may be followed by a single climbing apparatus when used in conjunction with e.g., a tree saddle, rock climbing harness, or similar apparatus, except that in those configurations the user alternately shifts their weight between and incrementally adjusts the location of the climbing apparatus and the coordinating tree saddle, rock climbing harness, or similar apparatus.

If a climbing apparatus encounters a branch or other obstacle when ascending or descending the columnar structure, the climbing apparatus may be used to circumvent the obstruction. To do so with the climbing system, the user may first bear their weight on one apparatus so that the non-weight bearing apparatus can safely have one end of its fastening loop disengaged from its bracket housing. Similarly, in single climbing apparatus configurations the user may first bear their weight on the tree saddle, rock climbing harness, or similar apparatus being utilized so that the non-weight bearing apparatus can safely have one end of its fastening loop disengaged from its bracket housing. Regardless of the configuration being used, this temporarily opens the fastening loop so the apparatus can be moved past the obstacle at which point the fastening loop can then be re-engaged within its bracket to close the loop. When the desired height along the columnar structure is reached, the gripping effect simply produced by the rotation of the fastening loop that in turn draws the anchors into the columnar structure, provides a stable platform for the user to operate from (e.g., hunt, bird watch, photograph, etc.). If the platforms are appropriately sized, one or both of the platforms can be used as a temporary seat once the desired height has been reached.

As such, as described above, a climbing apparatus is provided which can be used to quickly and safely ascend and descend columnar structures such as masts, trees, or poles, while being easily and quietly transported, attached, used, and detached. The climbing apparatus can be used in a climbing system wherein a pair of the apparatus are used in a simple stepwise fashion. The climbing apparatus or climbing system provides for the stable navigation of columnar structures while being simply and easily attached, and while also enabling the user to easily bypass projections, such as branches or cross-braces along the columnar structure.

The principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention, which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular form described as it is to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A climbing apparatus for ascending and descending a columnar structure, the climbing apparatus comprising: i. an elongated vertical member; ii. a pair of anchors fixed to the elongated vertical member in spaced-apart relation along the length of the elongated vertical member, the pair of anchors projecting outwardly from the elongated vertical member; iii. a platform fixed along the length of the elongated vertical member and configured to support a foot of a user; and iv. a fastening loop adjustably and pivotally connected to the elongated vertical member between the pair of anchors, wherein when the climbing apparatus is affixed to the columnar structure, the fastening loop surrounds the columnar structure with the pair of anchors supported against the columnar structure.
 2. The climbing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper one of the pair of anchors is located toward an upper end of the elongated vertical member and a lower one of the pair of anchors is located toward a lower end of the elongated vertical member.
 3. The climbing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each anchor of the pair of anchors has a pair of anchor arms configured to engage the columnar structure.
 4. The climbing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pair of anchor arms of each anchor has a V-shaped configuration.
 5. The climbing apparatus as in claim 4, wherein each of the anchor arms has a series of serrated teeth for gripping the columnar structure.
 6. The climbing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the platform is fixed along the length of the elongated vertical member between the pair of anchors.
 7. The climbing apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the platform is fixed to the elongated vertical member toward the lower end of the elongated vertical member.
 8. The climbing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the platform extends outwardly from the elongated vertical member in a direction opposite from the pair of anchors.
 9. The climbing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the platform is pivotally connected to the elongated vertical member, enabling the platform to be moved into a first, storage position substantially vertically aligned with the elongated vertical member, to a second, operating position substantially perpendicular to the elongated vertical member.
 10. The climbing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the platform includes a foot strap on an upper surface of the platform.
 11. The climbing apparatus according to claim 1, further including a bracket fixed to the elongated vertical member between the pair of anchors, the bracket configured to pivotally, adjustably, and releasably secure the fastening loop to the elongated vertical member.
 12. The climbing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the bracket is supported for restricted pivotal movement less than 90 degrees relative to the elongated vertical member such that the fastening loop is supported in surrounding relation to the columnar structure between a first angle substantially perpendicular to the elongated vertical member and a second angle non-parallel to the elongated vertical member.
 13. The climbing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein an upper one of the pair of anchors is located toward or at an upper end of the elongated vertical member and a lower one of the pair of anchors is located toward or at a lower end of the elongated vertical member, the platform is located along the length of the elongated vertical member closer to the lower one of the pair of anchors than the upper one of the pair of anchors, and further including a bracket fixed to the elongated vertical member between the platform and the upper one of the pair of anchors, the bracket configured to pivotally, adjustably, and releasably secure the fastening loop to the elongated vertical member.
 14. A climbing system comprising a pair of climbing apparatus for ascending and descending a columnar structure, each climbing apparatus comprising: i. an elongated vertical member; ii. a pair of anchors fixed to the elongated vertical member in spaced-apart relation along the length of the elongated vertical member, and projecting outwardly from the elongated vertical member and toward and against the columnar structure when the climbing apparatus is fixed to the columnar structure; iii. a platform fixed along the length of the elongated vertical member and configured to support a foot of a user; and iv. a fastening loop adjustably and pivotally connected to the elongated vertical member between the pair of anchors, the fastening loop surrounding the columnar structure when the climbing apparatus is affixed to the columnar structure, wherein the platform of one of the pair of climbing apparatus is fixed along the length of the elongated vertical member at a distance further away from the fastening loop connection on the one climbing apparatus than the distance of the platform to the fastening loop connection of the other one of the pair of climbing apparatus, to facilitate ascending and descending the columnar structure by moving one of the pair of climbing apparatus along the columnar structure followed by the other one of the pair of climbing apparatus in succession.
 15. The climbing system according to claim 14, wherein the elongated vertical member of one of the pairs of climbing apparatus is longer than the elongated vertical member of the other one of the pairs of climbing apparatus.
 16. The climbing system according to claim 15, wherein each climbing apparatus includes a bracket fixed to the elongated vertical member between the pair of anchors, the bracket configured to pivotally, adjustably, and releasably secure the fastening loop of the respective climbing apparatus to the elongated vertical member.
 17. The climbing system as in claim 16, wherein an upper one of the pair of anchors is located toward or at an upper end of the elongated vertical member and a lower one of the pair of anchors is located toward or at a lower end of the elongated vertical member, the platform is located along the length of the elongated vertical member closer to the lower one of the pair of anchors than the upper one of the pair of anchors, and wherein the bracket is fixed to the elongated vertical member between the platform and the upper one of the pair of anchors.
 18. A method for climbing a columnar structure using the climbing system as in claim 14, comprising the steps of: i. locating the fastening loop of each climbing apparatus loosely around the columnar structure, with the fastening loop of one of the pairs of climbing apparatus vertically above the fastening loop of the other one of the pair of climbing apparatus; ii. locating each foot of the user on a respective platform of each climbing apparatus such that the user is supported in an upright position facing the columnar structure; iii. allowing the weight of the user to force the elongated vertical member of each climbing apparatus downwardly along the columnar structure, with the fastening loop engaging a rear side of the columnar structure and the pair of anchors being drawn against and engaging a front side of the columnar structure until the fastening loop is taut around the columnar structure; and iv. repeatedly raising one of the pair of climbing apparatus followed by the other of the pair of climbing apparatus in succession by alternatingly raising each foot of the user to i) release each respective anchor from the columnar structure, ii) allow the fastening loop of the respective climbing apparatus to be loosened and pulled up the columnar structure a selected amount according to the raised distance of the respective foot of the user, and iii) then reapplying a downward movement to each foot of the user to allow the weight of the user to force the respective elongated vertical member downwardly along the columnar structure with the fastening loop again engaging the rear side of the columnar structure and the pair of anchors again being drawn against and engaging a front side of the columnar structure until the fastening loop is again taut, until the desired height along the columnar structure is achieved. 